HR 4075 · 96th Congress · Environmental Protection

A bill to amend section 311(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to limit liability under such section to knowing and willful discharges and to provide certain defenses to liability under such section.

Introduced 1979-05-14· Sponsored by Rep. Natcher, William H. [D-KY-2]· House

Bill Progress

Introduced
2
Committee
3
House Vote
4
Senate
5
Enacted
Latest: Referred to House Committee on Public Works and Transportation.(1979-05-14)

Plain Language Summary

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require that a discharge of oil or any other hazardous substance into the waters of the United States must be knowing and willful in order to subject the owner, operator, or person in charge of the vessel, onshore facility, or offshore facility involved to liability under such Act. Absolves any such person from liability upon proof that such a discharge was caused by: (1) an act of God; (2) an act of war; (3) negligence on the part of the United States Government; or (4) an act or omission of a third party without regard to the negligent character of such an act or omission.…

Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only